Acoustic apparatus



Jan. 20, 1959 D. J. LESLIE I 2,869,669

ACOUSTIC APPARATUS Filed July 1, 1957 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Dex/n40 (J. (ESL/6',

INVEN TOR.

arraeuss J Jan. 20, 1959 D. J. LESLIE 2,869,669

ACOUSTIC APPARATUS Filed July 1, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 llc OONHLD J. LEsL/E,

INVEN TOR.

BYZ/WUW Z/M) HTTOENE'VS Jan. 20, 1959' D. J. LESLIE ACOUSTIC APPARATUS Filed July 1, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a acre/c 0e ascmomc IN VEN T0 R.

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FREQUENCV DIV/DING NETIMEK QTTOQNEVJ United States Patent ACOUSTIC APPARATUS Donald James Leslie, Pasadena, Calif.

Application July 1, 1957, Serial No. 669,191 4 Claims. (Cl. 181-27) The present invention relates to acoustic apparatus, and 18 more particularly directed to apparatus for producing musical tones.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my appli-' cation filed September 23, 1955, Serial No. 540,599, for Acoustic Apparatus, now abandoned. My application Serial No. 540,599 was a division of my application filed October 26, 1948, Serial No. 56,630, for Acoustic Apparatus, now Patent No. 2,727,583.

Certain musical instruments, such as electric or electronic organs, produce a normal output which is very limited in musical character. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide apparatus capable of modifying the normal output of musical instruments to produce a broadening effect of the tone quality.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus capable of producing sharp or flat tones, which, when coupled to the original frequencies, results in a very broad effect that may be organ pipe-like in character.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus capable of producing a broadening effect, by adding sharp tones to the original frequencies and by emphasizing the upper band of added frequencies over the lower. In this manner, the effect of a pipe organ containing celeste pipes can be stimulated. Such pipe organs produce frequencies slightly higher than those associated with general organ tunings.

A further object of the invention is to provide a comparatively simple apparatus capable of broadening the normal output of a musical instrument and of also producing tremolo or vibrato efiects.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of one form of apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional and partial elevational view of the cellular horn and speaker or sound generator disclosed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section through one form of cellular horn that may be embodied in the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 and 5am views similar to Fig. 3 of modified forms of cellular horns;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of still another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a section through part of the in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section taken along the line 8-8 on Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an elevation of still another embodiment of the invention;

apparatus shown vary from 4 to 100. It has been found that a horn 2,869,669 Patented Jan. 20, 1959 Fig. 10 is a reduced section through the cellular horn and tremolo creating device shown in Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of still an other form of the invention.

In the form of invention illustrated in Fig. 3, the sound emanating from a speaker or sound generator 10 is directed into a rotatable member 11 having equiangularly spaced horn cells 12 radiating from its hub portion 13. By rotating the horn unit at a particuar R. P. M., which depends upon its external diameter, the use of the Doppler effect is availed of in producing frequencies heard by the listener that are both sharp and flat, which, together with the original frequencies emanating from the sound generator or speaker 10, produce a very broad pipe-like, organ eifect, when the speaker unit forms the electrical output of an electric or electronic organ.

The production of frequencies that are both sharp and flat is obtained because some of the horn cells are advancing toward the ear of the listener, while the other horn cells are receding from the ear.

As disclosed most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, the cellular horn device 11 includes a tubular hub 13 rotatable upon the hollow spindle 14 of the speaker unit 10. The horn has opposed walls 15, 16, one of which is integral with or secured to its tubular hub or throat 13, and the other of which is in spaced relation to the first-mentioned wall. This last-mentioned wall 16 flares outwardly, being of dished or externally concave shape, to obtain exponential expansion of the horn cells. The walls form the horn cells 12 in conjunction with a plurality of radial separators or partitions 17 extending between the walls 15, 16. The separators are suitably secured to the walls, extending from their peripheries to their axis, as disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3, and providing sound inlet openings for each cell in the throat or hub portion 13 of the horn device. The radial separators 17 are spaced uniformly around the horn device so as to provide like, uniformly spaced horn cells, each of which has an inner throat 18 and an outer mouth 19 at the periphery of the horn unit.

The number of horn cells 12 may be varied within comparatively wide limits. The number selected should give good results with a minimum of flutter due to the sound source changing from cell to cell as the horn device rotates. As an example, the number of cells could device with 24 cellular sections gives good results, and that such device can be made without encountering construction difliculties. More cells might be preferable, but any advantage due to further diminution of the flutter is outweighed by manufacturing disadvantages. A 24 section cellular horn provides very little flutter, and, for all practical purposes, effects the desired results. Of course, the flutter effect is to some extent dependent upon the speed at which the unit is rotated.

The horn unit may be rotated by means of a suitable electric motor 20 having a drive pulley 21 secured to its shaft 22. An endless belt 23 passesaround this pulley and around a driven pulley 24 suitably secured to the hub 13 of the horn device. As described above, this hub is rotatably mounted on the speaker spindle14.

The speed of the electric motor 20 and the diameter of the pulleys 21, 24 are chosen so as to rotate the horn unit 11 at the desired speed. This speed is not critical, since the horn unit is not intended to produce tremolo effects. Additionally, the speed selected is dependent the range of to 36 feet per second mentioned above is preferred. As an example, a horn unit having an outer diameter of 17 inches may be rotated at speeds ranging from 100 to 1200 R. P. M., or at a peripheral velocity as low as about 7 feet per second.

The horn device disclosed in Fig. 3 employs radial separators 17, which, when rotated or moved at the de sired horn mouth velocity, accomplishes the desired broadening effect by producing both flat and sharp frequencies in conjunction with the frequencies emitted through the speaker spindle 14-.

The cellular horn constructions 11a, 11b disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5 are designed to simulate pipe organs containing celeste pipes. Such pipe organs produce frequencies slightly higher than those associated with general organ tunings. The cellular horn is designed, shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in such manner as to emphasize the upper band of added frequencies over the lower band. In Fig. 4, the cell separators 17a are of generally spiral shape, with the concave side of each separator facing in the direction of rotation of the horn device, indicated by the arrow 25. Thus, the ends of the partitions or separators 17a are non-radial, the direction of deviation from radial being uniform for all of the partitions. With this arrangement, the cells radiating the upper frequency bands will be louder to the listener than the cells radiating the lower frequency hands. This is due to the particular wave characteristics of the sound. If the direction of rotation of the spiral horn device were reversed, the lower frequency bands would be emphasized over the higher. That is, the convex side of the separators 17a would then face in the direction of rotation of the horn device.

A similar effect can be obtained by means of the horn device 11b shown in Pig. 5, in which the outer portions 17e of the separators 17b are bent in the direction of rotation of the horn device. This arrangement will also emphasize the upper band of added frequencies over the lower.

In the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the 360 degree rotating horn device is combined with an arrangement for producing tremolo or vibrato effects. As described and claimed in the above-identified applications, it has been found that pitch tremolo can be imposed on sound by passing the sound through an opening which is rotating about an axis spaced from the opening at a rate of the order of from 5 to 8 cycles per second, or about 300 to 480 R. P. M.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the tremolo effect may be produced by rotating a throat 26 in communication with the speaker 10 at tremolo speeds. through the hub 13 of the cellular horn device llllc coaxially therewith, and terminates in a mouth or opening 27 extending transversely to the axis of rotation and within the horn cells 12a. This mouth or opening 27 subtends only one or two cells, as shown most clearly in Fig. 8, so that during its rotation it progressively directs the sound into succeeding cells moving relative to it.

The horn device 110 may be rotated by the same horn motor, belt and pulley arrangement -2 i disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2. The horn separators 17d are of the same configuration as in Fig. 5 to produce a celeste effect. However, they terminate short of the horn hub or axis, to allow a circular space within Which the throat 26 can rotate. This throat is rotatable upon the spindle 14 of the speaker or sound generator 110 and has a pulley 28 secured to it, provided with a hub portion rotatable within the-horn pulley 24. Rotation is effected by means of an electric throat motor 29 having a driving pulley 30 secured to its shaft 31, with an endless belt 32 passing around the drive pulley 30 and the throat pulley 28.

As throat 26 rotates at tremolo speeds of the order above indicated, the throat opening 27 is directed into the various cells of the outer cellular horn assembly 110 and produces the desired tremolo or vibrato effect. ,The cellular horn assembly itself may be rotated at any de- This throat 26 extends aseaees sired speed, or can be stopped entirely depending upon the broadening effect, or lack of broadening effect, desired.

Tremolo-effects are also obtainable with the apparatus disclosed in Figs. 9 and 10. The cellular horn device 11a is essentially the same as disclosed in Figs. 5 and 8, this horn device being enclosed by a generally cylindrical cover 33 adjacent the periphery of the device, which has an opening 34 of one or two cell widths. This cover 33 is secured to a suitable disc 35 fastened to the hub 36 of a pulley 37. An endless belt 38 passes around the pulley and also over a driving pulley 39 secured to the shaft 4% of an electric motor 4-1. By rotating the cover 33 at tremolo rates, the vibrato effect is obtained, since the sound reaching the ear of the listener is only emanating from one or two cells 12 at any one tin c, and is changing from cell to cell, so as to produce both an approaching and a receding sound or Doppler effect.

Many different effects can be accomplished by the arrangement shown in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive. The cellular horn may be rotated at any desired speed, or stopped, while at the same time the throat 26 or the outer cover 33 may be rotated at tremolo speeds. The cellular horn and the tremolo unit can be rotated in the same direction or in reverse directions.

In the form of the invention disclosed in Fig. 11, a frequency dividing network 4.2 is employed for directing only the higher frequencies into the cellular horn device and the lower frequencies into a tremolo producing device 43. In this manner, a broadening effect is imparted to the upper frequencies, while the lower frequencies possess tremolo.

In Fig. 11, the impulses from an electric or electronic organ 44 are amplified by a suitable amplifier 45 and are transmitted to the dividing network 42. Higher frequencies of, for example, above 400 cycles per second, pass to the high frequency speaker 10, and the lower frequencies, below 400 cycles per second, pass to a low frequency speaker 46. The low frequency speaker is associated with and is adjacent a directional horn 47 having a single mouth or sound emitting opening spaced from its axis of rotation. This horn 47 is suitably supported and has a pulley 49 secured to it, in order that the horn may be rotated at tremolo speeds by an electric motor 5tl. This motor has a driving pulley 51 mounted on its shaft 52, and transmits its motion to the horn through a nintervening endless belt 53 passing around both pulleys 49, 51..

The apparatus shown in Fig. 11, as described above, produces a broadening effect on the frequencies above 400 cycles per second, while the lower frequencies are caused to possess tremolo or vibrato. Instead of the single mouth 48 in the horn shown in Fig. 11, two horn mouths may be used degrees apart, in which event the speed of rotation of the horn would be cut in half to produce the tremolo effects.

The inventor claims:

1. In apparatus for modifying sound: a rotary horn device including opposed walls, and a plurality of generally radial partitions extending between said walls to form a plurality of sound cells spaced about the axis of the device, and having inlet openings at their inner ends and outlet openings directed outwardly at the periphery of said horn device between said opposed walls; the arcuate extent between adjacent openings being substantially less than the arcuate extent of the outlet openings, whereby no vibratory swell or periodic amplitude is produced by rotation of the horn de the partitions at the outlet openings being non-radial; the direction of deviation from radial being uniform for all of the partitions; a non-rotary sound source communicating with said inlet openings; means for rotating said. horn device aboutits axis; and means operable independently of the horn device rotation and rotatable about the axis of rotation of the horn device and having a sound opening successively in communication with the opening of the sound cells for adding tremolo to the sound.

2. In apparatus for adding sharp and flat tones to musical sounds: a rotary horn device including opposed walls forming a peripheral edge in which there are substantially uniformly spaced apertures, and having partitions extending inwardly of the periphery to define with said apertures sound channels that are open at the periphery as well as at the center of the device; the arcuate extent between adjacent apertures being substantially less than the arcuate extent of the apertures, whereby no vibratory swell or periodic change in amplitude is produced by rotation of the horn device; a non-rotary source of sound in communication with the inner ends of the channels; power means for rotating said device about its axis; the partitions at the apertures being non-radial; the direction of deviation from radial being uniform for all of the partitions; means operable independently of the rotation of the horn device, and rotatable about the axis of rotation of the horn device, and having a sound opening successively in communication with the ends of the sound channels, for adding tremolo to the sound.

3. in apparatus for modifying sound: a rotary horn device including opposed walls, and a plurality of generally radial partitions extending between said walls to form a plurality of sound cells spaced about the axis of the device, and having inlet openings at their inner ends and outlet openings directed outwardly at the periphery of said horn device between said opposed walls; the arcuate extent between adjacent openings being substantially less than the arcuate extent of the outlet openings, whereby no vibratory swell or periodic change in amplitude is produced by rotation of the horn device; the partitions at the outlet openings being non-radial; the direction of deviation from radial being uniform for all of the partitions; a non-rotary sound source communicating with said inlet openings; means for rotating said horn device about its axis; and sound channel forming means rotatable about the axis of rotation of the horn device and independently of the rotation of the horn device, said sound channel forming means having a radially directed sound opening successively in communication with the inner ends of the sound channels formed by the partitions for adding tremolo to the sound.

4. In apparatus for modifying sound: a rotary horn device including opposed walls, and a plurality of generally radial partitions extending between said walls to form a plurality of sound cells spaced about the axis of the device, and having inlet openings at their inner ends and outlet openings directed outwardly at the periphery of said horn device between said opposed walls; the arcuate extent between adjacent openings being substantially less than the arcuate extent of the outlet openings, whereby no vibratory swell or periodic change in amplitude is produced by rotation of the horn device; the partitions at the outlet openings being non-radial; the direction of deviation from radial being uniform for all of the partitions; a non-rotary sound source communicating with said inlet openings; means for rotating said horn device about its axis; a cover rotatable about the axis of rotation of the horn device and independently of the rotation of the horn device and having a sound opening therein successively in communication with the outer ends of said sound channels for adding tremolo to the sound.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 647,147 Myers Apr. 10, 1900 1,547,535 Van Blaricom July 28, 1925 2,049,616 Lilja Aug. 4, 1936 2,287,105 Kannenberg June 23, 1942 

